The 2014 Leadership Development Work Group, chaired by REALTOR® of the
Year Susan Madison, has finalized plans for its 2014 Leadership Academy and recently met to review applicants for the program. Congratulations to the below listed individuals who were selected to participate in this program. The first session begins in January of 2014.
Lori Conn, RE/MAX Professionals
Andrew Cornett, Leader One Financial
John E. Fidler, Heartland Credit Union
Jane Hay, The Real Estate Group
Lori Hammel, Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell
Kassie Kern Furman, The Real Estate Group
Sarah Michelle Quattrin, The Real Estate Group
Tracy Shaw, The Real Estate Group
Paul Smay, C21 Real Estate Associates
Jonathan J. Sturgeon, Bank of Springfield
Now is your chance to see how mobile can help your business. The Capital Area MLS has partnered with Smarter Agent to provide you with a FREE White Label Mobile
Real Estate Search App. The app is available for the iPhone and iPad in the Apple
Store and for the Android in the Play Store (search for the key word "Seehouses").
In addition to the FREE White Label App, Smarter Agent is offering a "Branded App" with a FREE 60 Day Trail Period. With the Branded App all MLS listings will appear with only your contact information, you get all the leads! Use all the application's features as much as you want during the 60-day free trial. Free trial access begins at trial registration and expires 60 days following. You will NOT be charged during your 60day trial period and there is no obligation to purchase the Branded App. After 60 days, the cost is $6.99 a month. . Click the link to sign up for your 60 Day
Free Trial http://www.saoffer.com/sagent/Index.aspx.
A webinar was recently held explaining the new product offering.

December 2013
Volume 19, Edition 228
IN THIS ISSUE

News & Notes,
pp. 2-6


Technology/MIS
Corner, p. 7-8


CREN, p. 8

 Professional
Development, p. 9


Governmental
Affairs, p. 9


Affiliate Corner, pp.
10-12


Membership, p. 13

The Capital Area
Association of
REALTORS
® helps its members maintain the highest standards of professionalism and achieve the highest levels of success.
Under the long established policy of the Capital Area Association of
REALTORS ® , IAR and NAR:
1. The broker’s compensation for services rendered in respect to any listing is solely a matter of negotiation between the broker and the client, and is not fixed, controlled, recommended, or maintained by any persons not a party to the listing agreement.
2. The compensation paid by a listing broker to a cooperating broker in respect to any listing is established by the listing broker and is not fixed, controlled, recommended or maintained by any persons other than the listing broker.
OFFICERS
President
Steve D. Myers
President Elect
Michael Buscher, GRI
Secretary/Treasurer
Kristie DeBrun, GREEN , GRI , SFR
DIRECTORS
Kaye Brittin, ABR , GRI
Donald Cave
Joseph Curvey, GRI
Lisa Ernst
Suzie Fessler, CRS , GRI
Sandra Hamilton, GRI
Jane Hay, GRI
Michelle Higginbothom
Kevin Jarvis, SRES
John Klemm
Aaron Sapp
Jerry Skilbeck
Ex-Officio
Philip Chiles, ABR , CRS , GRI
Chief Executive Officer
Daniel R. Sale, CAE, RCE, e-PRO
REALTOR®
Review
A national research firm has completed its analysis of the downtown
Springfield housing market and has determined that there is enough demand to warrant the development of more residential projects with the potential of attracting hundreds of new residents to downtown within five years.
On December 13 th
the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce hosted an informational session for developers and financiers with Patrick Bowen, the principal at Bowen National Research Group, the firm which conducted the study for
The Chamber’s Q5 Community Impact Council, in partnership with the Mayor’s
SDAT Action Committee.
“Downtown housing isn’t just about enhancing downtown Springfield, it’s about growing the economy of Sangamon County by helping attract young professionals, enhancing our community’s vitality and increasing our community’s economic competitiveness in the new marketplace,” said Steward
Sandstrom, President and CEO of The Chamber.
The downtown area includes a 0.81-square mile area and is generally bounded by Carpenter Street and E. Miller
Street to the north, 11th and 12th Streets to the east,
East Lawrence Avenue to the south, South Pasfield
Street, 2nd Street and 1st Street to the west. Among the findings, Bowen estimated conservatively that at least 160 units could be developed for graduate students, noting that the likelihood of a successful student development increases if several universities choose to partner on a project.
Overall, downtown could attract residents with incomes that cover the spectrum, from more affordable housing to condominiums priced above $200,000.
“This study proves that investing in downtown is a safe bet,” said Lisa Clemmons
Stott, co-chair of the SDAT Action Committee. “We weren’t surprised at the findings because of the anecdotal evidence we’ve been collecting for over a year.
And now that we have this professional opinion, we as a community should accelerate our efforts to pinpoint and leverage the financing necessary to kick-start residential growth.”
The study included interviews with nearly three-dozen local stakeholders, the second highest number of interviews the company has ever undertaken for a project. The study also included personal visits to 45 different properties on the market in
Springfield and analysis of 200 metrics for demographics, employment, and housing.
The study analyzed other aspects to livability, including walkability (downtown scored very high) and crime (generally similar to the rest of the city so perceptions of high crime in the downtown are unfounded).
(Continued on page 3)
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REALTOR®
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“Increasing downtown housing opportunities will result in a 24/7 environment that is a win-win for people seeking a more urban lifestyle as well as local shops, restaurants, and service providers. Regular foot traffic will support our businesses and attract even more amenities to downtown,” said Victoria Ringer, Executive
Director of Downtown Springfield, Inc.
The study was funded in part by The Chamber's Q5 Strategic Leadership Council as well as the Community Impact Council; by the Illinois Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity; and by the Capital Area Association of
REALTORS® (CAAR), who also provided data necessary to complete the analysis.
“Capital Area REALTORS® are involved every day to help their clients realize housing opportunities. Our participation in this study, underwritten by a grant from the National Association of REALTORS®, underscores the importance that we, as
REALTORS®, place on building partnerships to expand housing opportunities for all,” said Steve Myers, President of CAAR.
The full study is available online at www.gscc.org , www.downtownspringfield.org and http://sdatspringfield.com/.
Congratulations to the below listed CAAR members who have been appointed to
2014 Illinois Association of REALTORS® Committees/Forums. To access a list of IAR Committees and/or Committee members go to www.illinoisrealtor.org.
Each year in the Spring IAR puts out a request for volunteers to step forward to participate on various workgroups and committees. This is your opportunity to get involved, have a say in matters and meet other professionals from around the state.
Shelley Berendt, The Real Estate Group: REALTOR® Institute Working Group
Michael Buscher, The Real Estate Group: Finance Committee; Chair, Leadership
Development Working Group; Strategic Planning Committee
Philip Chiles, Real Estate Group: Chair, Executive Committee; IAR Plaza, Inc.;
Chair, NAR Political Advisory Working Group; Performance/Compensation
Review Committee; Strategic Planning Committee; Chair, Strategic Thinkers
Working Group
Kristie DeBrun, Campo Realty: Business Issues/License Law Forum; Nominating
Committee Professional Development Member Involvement Group;
Professional Standards Committee Spring Conference Working Group
Richard Hanselman, Real Estate Group: Vice Dean, REALTOR® Institute
Working Group
James Kuhar, Real Estate Group: Commercial/Industrial/Investment Committee
(Continued on page 4)
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REALTOR®
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Leading up to and in conjunction with the association’s Annual
Holiday party the Social
Committee conducted a
"Holiday Spirits" raffle to benefit the Boys and Girls
Club. The lucky winner of this raffle received a beautiful decorative sleigh full of alcohol donated by area businesses. Mitzi
Brandenberg (The Real
Estate Group) was the winner of the raffle.
There was an overwhelming response on the alcohol donations with 50 bottles donated in all. Due to the fantastic response several additional drawings were also held for single bottles of alcohol.
Tickets were $10 each or
6 for $50. Thank you to the many individuals and businesses who donated to this raffle along with those who purchased tickets. (See page 5 for list of raffle donors)

Ed Mahoney, Re/Max Professionals: Commercial/
Industrial/Investment Committee
Todd Musso, Wrightsman-Musso: Business Issues/License
Law Forum; Community Development Resource
Working Group
Stephen D. Myers, Myers Commercial Real Estate: IAR
Plaza, Inc.; REALTORS® Political Involvement
Committee
Cindy Nagle, Real Estate Group: Professional Standards Committee
James Pate, Prudential Classic Properties: Business Diversity Working Group;
Business Issues/License Law Forum
Randall Raynolds, Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell: Advisory Council
Daniel Sale, Capital Area Association of REALTORS®: Vice Chair, Association
Executives Committee; Business Issues/License Law Forum; Public Policy &
Government Affairs Member Involvement Group; REALTOR® of the Year
Committee
In conjunction with the Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities and
TSP-Hope, Inc. the Capital Area Association of REALTORS® is pleased to cosponsor the following:
January 18 th
- The Home Buying Process
RSVP Required - Call 217.522-7985 (ext. 114). Download the flyer from www.seehouses.com/newsletter.php.
We hope you enjoy this month's picture from our association's archives. This month's featured picture is form the Association's holiday party in 2001.
If you have an old picture or comment about a picture please share with us.
(Left to right: Cathy Wagner,
Sandy Skaggs, 1986 Past
President Willard Kennedy &
Kathy Nichelson)

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REALTOR®
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The Alamo
Back & Joint Center, Stephanie Griffiths
Capital Area Assoc of REALTORS, Katie
Connelly
Capital Area Assoc of REALTORS, Dan Sale
Chicago Title Insurance Company, Eric Campbell
Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell, Linda Ratliff
The Creek
Engrained Brewery
Floyd's Thirst Parlor
Hometown Realty, Dana Hudson
Illini Bank, Joy Gilliland
Illinois Real Estate Title, Jennifer Carnduff
Myers Commercial Real Estate, Steve Myers
Office Sports Bar & Grill
PNC Mortgage, Jill Barber-Friedman
RE/MAX Professionals, Sudi Blood
RE/MAX Professionals, Lorri Conn
RE/MAX Professionals, Suzie Fessler
RE/MAX Professionals, John McIntyre
RE/MAX Professionals, Pat Van Etten
The Real Estate Group, Caren Yates
The Real Estate Group, Mike Buscher
The Real Estate Group, Paula Conder
Security Bank, Amanda Ladage/Pam McCormick
Sikich, Taylor Gilliland
Snelling-Chevalier Real Estate, Gail Chevalier
Soccer World, Peter Christofilakos
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

Go to Reports > Absorption Rate and Probability of Selling Report
Enter criteria to reflect the type and/or location of properties in which you're interested. Note: There are no date parameters to enter, as the report is designed to automatically search one year back. Click "Search" to generate the
 report.
Sales are broken down into increments of 12, 6, and 3 months. These are compared to the current number of Active listings to calculate a "Month

Supply" for each period, showing any possible trends in that market.
"Probability of Selling" is also calculated based on the number of Sold listings in the last 6 months compared to the number of New listings in the same time frame.
Absorption Rate and Probability of Selling Report
Criteria: | Type: Residential | City: Chatham | Board: CAPITAL AREA MIS | Minimum List
Price: 125000 | Maximum List Price: 150000 |
Closed Transactions in Past:
12 Mos. 6 Mos. 3 Mos.
Number of Closed Transactions
Average Homes Sold Per Month
38
3.2
21
3.5
9
3
Currently Active in MLS 11
Month Supply of Inventory To be absorbed IF NO
OTHER HOMES COME ON MARKET
# of closed transaction in Last Six Months
# of New Transactions Placed in MLS last six months
3.4 3.1
21
28
3.7
Divide closed by entered = % of homes that sold
75 % Probability of Selling
The report can also easily be exported to a spreadsheet version that also includes the listings that were used to generate the stats. Simply change the display type on the left from "Standard" to
"Excel", and you'll be prompted to open or save the spreadsheet export .

7
As a reminder, 1st
Quarter MIS fee payments are due January
1, 2014. Balances can be monitored and fees can be paid online at any time via the Online Member
Information / Bill Pay link that is on the
InnoVia home page and is located at https:// mdweb.marketlinx.com/ caar/. For complete list of 2014 due dates go to http://www.seehouses.com/
Portals/0/Documents/
2014feeschedule.pdf
.


Did you know that
SentriLock has a mobile website for managing
your lockboxes on the go?
SentriLock has a mobile website which can be utilized to create 1 day codes, renewal codes, and view access log information. From your mobile phone, go to m.sentrilock.com and log in with the same credentials you would use to login from a computer. The mobile website also allows you to send 1 day codes directly to the recipient via email or text message!


REALTOR®
Review
th
CAAR and the MLS is planning to hold an informative workshop for
Office Staff, Personal
Assistants and
Coordinators on January
17, 2014 from 9:00 -
10:30 a.m. To help us in preparing the agenda and to make this program as useful as possible for the attendees we would like to hear from you. Tell us what topics would be of interest to you.
Attendees will be provided with valuable information and resources to share with their company. Please share your topic ideas with Dan Sale by calling
217/698-7000 or email dsale@caaronline.com.
9:00-9:45 a.m. - Basic
InnoVia Information
9:50-10:30 a.m.-
InnoVia Updates
This program is not limited to staff and is open to Managing
Brokers as well.
Attendees will be provided with valuable information and resources to share with their company. RSVP by calling CAAR at
217.698.7000 or email kconnelly@caaronline.com.

January 21
February 18
March 18
April 22
May 20
June 24
July 22
August 19
September 23
October 21
November 18
December (none)
st
The Commercial Real Estate Network's next luncheon will be held on Tuesday,
January 21, 2014 at CAAR and will begin at 11:30 a.m. Members of the SDAT
Action Team have been invited to attend and offer a presentation of the recent downtown housing study that was performed. Special thanks to Chicago Title
Insurance Company our sponsor for this month. Generally, CREN luncheons are open only to CREN members, however, a special invitation is extended to
REALTOR® Developers that have an interest in this subject. Please RSVP to
Katie Connelly at kconnelly@caaronline.com or 217.698.7000.

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REALTOR®
Review
Please note that the Winter continuing education schedule will be posted very shortly. It is in the process of being finalized.
By Neil Malone, Governmental Affairs Director
It seems that every December is the same. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and the stress of closing out another year, we usually get a chance to reflect back on the previous year and get an opportunity to look forward to the year to come.
We all make resolutions. We resolve to do something different, or to make an effort to do something better than the previous year. We may try to learn a new skill, or make more money, or take that dream trip, or to join a gym and lose those last few pounds of “holiday weight”.
Last year I asked that you make a critical decision to “resolve to be involved” and many of you took me up on it. Through your time, talent, effort, and dedication, we had an outstanding year. We were involved in shaping public policy in several local municipalities, including Springfield, Chatham, and Rochester. We supported numerous successful campaigns of REALTOR®-friendly candidates, and even helped elect a few new REALTOR® champions to public office. We raised nearly
$33,000 for RPAC and had 12 CAAR members recognized by the IAR as “Major
Investors”. We applied for and received a grant from NAR to help fund a study of the housing availability and market demand in Downtown Springfield. We are seeing many new faces at Governmental Affairs Committee meetings, CREN
Meetings, and other association committee meetings. Finally, the Leadership
Academy is hard at work grooming the next generation of Association Leaders.
If you haven’t taken the opportunity to check this resolution off your list this year, we still have a few days left to make the commitment to serving your association and your industry in the year to come.
If you made 2013 the year that you resolved to become involved, I would like to share my thanks. I look forward to working with you in 2014 on continuing our efforts to (in the words of NAR’s “REALTOR® Party” efforts) Vote, Act, and
Invest for the benefit of property owners and the real estate industry. 
9
Diamond
Gold
Silver
Bronze

REALTOR®
Review
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REALTOR®
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The Member Services
Committee is issuing a last call for investors who are interested in becoming a CAAR or
CREN Sponsor for 2014.
CAAR and CREN
Sponsors receive an excellent forum to promote your company and its services, a variety of networking opportunities, added exposure on seehouses.com or seebuildings.com and special recognition throughout the year.
There are a variety of sponsorship categories so no matter the size of the company we offer something for any budget.
For additional details and
CAAR Sponsorship agreement go to http:// seehouses
.com/AboutCAAR/
Sponsors/
AdvertisingSponsorshipO pportunities.aspx. For questions concerning this program please call
Dan Sale at 217.698.7000 or email dsale@caaronline.com.

An invitation is extended to you from the REALTOR® and Affiliate Committee of the Capital Area Association of REALTORS® to join them for a special event scheduled for January 16, 2014 from 4:00-6:00p.m. Our Affiliate members will be tables and will be available to discuss their services with you and wine tasting will be offered. To RSVP for this FREE event please call the Association at
217.698.7000, fax the registration form to 217.698-7009, email kconnelly@caaronline.com.
This CAAR "Sponsor Corner" section is available to all sponsors to promote an upcoming event one time per year. We are also happy to promote the event in our e
-bulletin as well with a link to your event flyer/info. This is all subject to timing and it is suggested that for the best results you contact us a minimum of 45 days prior to your event. This will ensure that we can afford you the best possible exposure. "Promotion requests" should be sent to knichelson@caaronline.com.
Please feel free to direct any questions regarding this to my attention or Kathy
Nichelson's attention.
Advertise your upcoming event here!
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REALTOR®
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The following individuals have been approved for membership in the Association, subject to completion of Orientation were applicable:
Wesley McConnell Whitetail Properties Real Estate, LLC
Robert Nevill
Blake Pryor
Brad Wike
Terry Wilhite
The Real Estate Group
Coldwell Banker Devonshire Realty
Peerless Cleaning & Restoration
Ridgeline Complete Home Inspection Company, LLC
November 21, 2013

2014 Fee Schedule

Office Admin Workshop

Smarter Agent Flyer

Wine Down
Capital Area
Association of
REALTORS 7 :
Phone: 217/698-7000
(centrex) 8000
Fax: 217/698-7009
(centrex) 8006
Websites:
www.SeeHouses.com www.SeeBuildings.com
Illinois Association of
REALTORS 7
Phone: 217/529-2600
Fax: 217/529-3904
REALTOR 7
Store: 800/529-2696
Member
Line: 800/752-3275
Website:
www.illinoisrealtor.org
National Association of
REALTORS 7
Phone: 312/329-8200
Fax: 312/329-8576
Website:
www.realtor.org
Office of Banks and
Real Estate:
Phone: 217/782-3414
SentriLock:
Phone: 877/736-8745 support@sentrilock.com http://lockbox.sentrilock.com/
MarketLinx :
Phone: 800/334-0831
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C A L E N D A R
24 Christmas Eve - Assoc Closed
25 Christmas Day - Assoc Closed
31 New Year's Eve - Assoc Closed
1 New Year's Day - Assoc Closed
1st Quarter Fees Due
Workshop 8:30-3:30
9:00
Finance/Exec 10:30
Mixer 4:30-6:00
10:00
16 Office Admin Workshop
Affiliate Table Top & Wine
Event
9:00
9:00
4:00-6:00
20 M.L. King Jr Day - Assoc Closed
The association wishes to extend its deepest sympathies to
REALTOR® John B. Clark , his son REALTOR® Jay Clark and his daughter REALTOR® Dawn Clark Mason (The Real Estate
Group) on the recent loss of John B's mother.
The association wishes to extend its condolences to Past President and former member Phillip Gebben on the recent loss of his wife.
Please note that the CAAR office will be closed as follows for the
Christmas/New Years
Holiday:
Dec 24th - Closed
Dec 25th - Closed
Dec 31st - Closed
Jan 1st - Closed
Best wishes to you and your family for a joyous and happy holiday season!
21-23 IAR Public Policy Meetings
8:30
9:00
Finance/Exec 10:30
9:00
7
3149 Robbins Rd.
Springfield, IL
62704
217/698-7000
Fax: 217/698-7009 www.SeeHouses.com
Time Period
Listings Processed
Single Family Residential
Nov 12 Nov 13 YTD 12 YTD 13
Units Sold
Dollar Volume
36,528,708 31,927,989 434,003,649 450,554,854
Ave. Sale Price
Time Period
Listings Processed
130,460 116,952 133,008 129,555
All Property Classes
Nov 12 Nov 13 YTD 12 YTD 13
Units Sold
Dollar Volume
41,942,757 34,543,389 490,919,437 487,123,172
14